the pentagon plans the buy nearly 2,500 planes. the entire program, $400 billion, and the most expensive in pentagon history. the trouble is that it's already years behind schedule because of technical problems and the price tag keeps going up. >> my department is committed to the development of the f-35. it's absolutely critical, absolutely critical that we get it right. >> reporter: now comes news of even more problems. the f-35s which are being tested at three bases are being grounded, because one jet developed a crack in its engine blade. critics say that the planes are actually relics desip designed fight the last year's cold war instead of this century's warfare where drones man the front lines. and of course, the timing could not be more sensitive for the plane's builder lockheed martin and the federal government. with washington talking about trimming the federal spending, that $400 million price tag might be a new target. >> will be indeed. thank you, barbara, for that. >>> parts of the northeast could get up to 18 inches